A scientist trains a man with an advanced telepathic ability called "scanning" to stop a dangerous Scanner with extraordinary psychic powers from waging war against non scanners.A scientist trains a man with an advanced telepathic ability called "scanning" to stop a dangerous Scanner with extraordinary psychic powers from waging war against non scanners.A scientist trains a man with an advanced telepathic ability called "scanning" to stop a dangerous Scanner with extraordinary psychic powers from waging war against non scanners.
- Awards
- 3 wins & 9 nominations
Stephen Lack
- Cameron Vale
- (as Steven Lack)
Robert A. Silverman
- Benjamin Pierce
- (as Robert Silverman)
Murray Cruchley
- Programmer 1
- (as Lee Murray)
Géza Kovács
- Killer in Record Store
- (as Geza Kovacs)
Sonny Forbes
- Killer in Attic
- (as Sony Forbes)
Jérôme Tiberghien
- Killer in Attic
- (as Jerome Tiberghien)
Victor Désy
- Dr. Gatineau
- (as Victor Desy)
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaDavid Cronenberg once called this the most frustrating film he'd ever made. The film was rushed through production - filming had to begin without a finished script and end within roughly two months so the financing would qualify as a tax write-off, forcing Cronenberg to write and shoot at the same time. Cronenberg also cited difficulty with and antagonism between the leads, particularly Patrick McGoohan and Jennifer O'Neill.
- GoofsAfter the famous "exploding head" scene, there wasn't a drop of blood on Revok or the table.
- Quotes
Benjamin Pierce: My art... keeps me sane.
[gestures at plaster head]
Benjamin Pierce: Art.
[taps his temples]
Benjamin Pierce: Sane.
- Crazy creditsCredits scroll like words on the CONSEC computer monitor.
- Alternate versionsThe death of the first scanner ('Victor Del Grande' ) was filmed in two different ways: the theatrical release has Revok (Michael Ironside) causing his head to explode; an alternate take, featured in television versions, shows him dying of a grotesque heart attack instead. The Sci-Fi Network has shown the scene intact.
- ConnectionsEdited into 365 Days, also Known as a Year (2019)
Featured review
Scanners is Cronenberg's venture into telepathy and the strange workings of the mind(he seems to do one movie on each theme, doesn't he?) While it is not as good as many of his other movies, it's still worthwhile.
First of all, the effects are really good. Some shots easily beat what the best CGI can do today, and some are just plain sick(you'll jump, I promise you). I was actually scratching my head over some things, thinking "how did they do that?", which is a good measure of special effects skills.
Second, the atmosphere is very powerful. It's a dark and unknown world in here, and no-one living in it likes it at all. The characters are all slightly off colour, subnormal. Our hero is no exception. The unknown Stephen Lack does a good-enough job, what with all the grimacing and psycho-playing. The supporting cast is over all sufficient. A treat is, as usual, Michael Ironside, who gives his pretty simple character a nice edge and a personality.
As for the story, it's sometimes hard to follow, and sometimes it lacks something. The ending is a bit rushed as well(even though the climax is incredible).
Still, Scanners is a cult movie and if you can find time, and you're in the right mood, it's certainly worthwhile for it's innovative gore, moody atmosphere and Michael Ironside.
7/10
First of all, the effects are really good. Some shots easily beat what the best CGI can do today, and some are just plain sick(you'll jump, I promise you). I was actually scratching my head over some things, thinking "how did they do that?", which is a good measure of special effects skills.
Second, the atmosphere is very powerful. It's a dark and unknown world in here, and no-one living in it likes it at all. The characters are all slightly off colour, subnormal. Our hero is no exception. The unknown Stephen Lack does a good-enough job, what with all the grimacing and psycho-playing. The supporting cast is over all sufficient. A treat is, as usual, Michael Ironside, who gives his pretty simple character a nice edge and a personality.
As for the story, it's sometimes hard to follow, and sometimes it lacks something. The ending is a bit rushed as well(even though the climax is incredible).
Still, Scanners is a cult movie and if you can find time, and you're in the right mood, it's certainly worthwhile for it's innovative gore, moody atmosphere and Michael Ironside.
7/10
- MrVibrating
- Aug 28, 2006
- Permalink
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Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Telépatas, mentes destructoras
- Filming locations
- Toronto, Ontario, Canada(yorkdale subway station)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- CA$4,100,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $14,225,876
- Gross worldwide
- $14,225,876
- Runtime1 hour 43 minutes
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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